Why Won’t My Sink Stop Dripping?

If your sink won’t stop dripping, this is an issue that can possibly be fixed on your own. Our team at Tim’s Southern Air would like to share some possibilities as to why your sink is still dripping and potential steps you can take to fix it before calling a professional for help.

Common Reasons For A Dripping Faucet

There can be a few reasons as to why your dripping sink won’t stop. Here is a list of a few causes our technicians regularly face:

• A worn-out faucet cartridge – Eventually, the internal components of your faucet can lose their ability to stop the flow of water when turned in the off position.
• Problems with O-ring – Just like faucet handles wear down over time, the same can happen to the O-ring, leaving it to dry out and crack which makes it lose its purpose as a water barrier.
• Loose faucet handles – If the tap handle isn’t tight enough, when you try to turn it off the loose connection may prevent the handle from closing the valve which is what leads to water drips.
• Water pressure is too high – If the water pressure in your house exceeds 55 psi, it might be forcing water through the valve even when it’s in the off position.
• Damaged seat washer causes compression faucet leaks – The most likely cause of dripping on a compression faucet is a faulty seat washer. Another component that could contribute to a leaky faucet has to do with the screw that holds the seat washer in place, so if that screw becomes loose, the washer won’t be able to create a seal properly.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, reach out to our team for trusted plumbing repairs. We’re ready to help get your pipes running as they should!

DIY Plumbing Solutions

If you’re handy around the house, you might be able to fix your leaky faucet without professional sink repair services. Here are steps you can try to fix a leaky cartridge faucet:

Turn off the water shut-off valves. The valves should be below the sink basin and near the back wall. Turn them clockwise until fully tightened. If you are unable to do this, you can also shut off the main water supply.

• Plug the drain with a stopper.
• Remove the circular, threaded retaining clip with pliers if needed.
• Pull the cartridge up to remove it. Pay attention to its position for when it’s time to put it back.
• Use a small screwdriver to remove the seat and seat spring. Then drop in the new seat spring.
• Use your finger to push the new seat into place and spread the plumber’s grease around the base of the cartridge.
• Realign the cartridge and push it into place in the faucet. Then use a wrench to tighten the large retaining nut.
• Replace the faucet handles.
• Turn the water back on and test the faucet.

Other faucet types have slightly different steps but have a similar process. If you feel like sink or pipe repair is something you can handle, it might be worth giving this a shot! For homeowners more interested in reliable repairs done right the first time, reach out to Tim’s Southern Air.

Professional Sink Repair

A sink dripping water constantly is not normal and indicates a larger issue. If your plumbing is working as it should, you should not experience any water dripping from your faucet after you turn it off.

If you need professional plumbing services or sink repair, you can contact our team at Tim’s Southern Air and we can take care of the whole process for you. Whether it’s diagnosing the problem, providing installations or repairs, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!